A NEW health plan is to be introduced for Natio-nal Insurance Scheme pensioners, according to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who was speaking at the launch of the National Health Fund (NHF) at the National Arena on Friday.
Mr. Patterson said the plan was an attempt by policy makers to ensure adequate health care provision for the elderly, and will provide health benefits such as hospitalisation, diagnostics, surgical services, prescriptions, dental, optical and doctor's visit.
According to the Prime Minister, for the first year the plan is expected to cost approximately $306 million and he is projecting annual increases as the over-60 population grows.
He also described the launch of the NHF as an "ongoing investment by this administration in the economic and social well-being of all our citizens."
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The NHF was approved in Parliament in October and will provide assistance to persons of all ages by supplementing the cost of medication for the 14 most prevalent chronic diseases affecting the population. These include cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, glaucoma, epilepsy, among others.
Funding for the $2.2 billion NHF will be sourced from a 23 per cent excise tax on tobacco consumption which is expected to yield $1 billion; the recent reconfiguration of the National Insurance Scheme, expected to yield $800 million; and a specific charge on the Consolidated Fund which should raise $400 million. The majority of these funds will be dedicated to providing medication, health system support, and promotions.
Registration is now being conducted through the Electoral Office, and agencies such as hospitals, health centres, doctors' offices and designated registration centres as advertised.
A little under 40,000 persons have registered with the Fund so far. To receive benefits persons must complete an application form which must be certified by a medical doctor as proof that the applicant has one of the 14 diseases.
